FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Ever since the Ryder Cup revealed that general admission tickets would cost $750 back in 2024, the off-course economics of the PGA of America-run event have been under the microscope.
Tickets sold out nearly instantly (500,000 people registered for ticket requests) in November, despite the high price tag. And as the event tees off Friday, the resale market shows some fans are willing to pay even more.
On Thursday, the eve of the Ryder Cup’s opening round, resale prices on SeatGeek (the Ryder Cup’s official ticketing provider) had settled at nearly $1,000 for Friday and Saturday. However, Sunday prices were actually slightly below the face value of $750.
With 50,000-plus fans expected each day over the weekend, the $750 get-in price would mean the Ryder Cup is bringing in at least $37 million in ticket revenue per day (and more than $100 million combined Friday through Sunday), not even factoring in higher-priced luxury hospitality options.
Economic Evaluation
In the lead-up to the Ryder Cup, the extra-expensive tickets led some to wonder whether organizers had priced out the average golf fan. PGA of America chief commercial officer Jeff Price told Front Office Sports that many New Yorkers in recent months had told him the $750 price point, which includes free food and nonalcoholic beverages, was a “really good, cheap option” compared to other New York sporting events.
But despite the high price point, anticipation for a raucous New York crowd was still a major topic among players and captains on both the U.S. and Europe teams all week.
“That energy, that passion and that home team environment is something that plays such a big part in the Ryder Cup,” Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood said Wednesday. “And I think you have to embrace that, enjoy it, and look forward to it, even when you’re the away team.”
Heavy rain on Thursday led to smaller crowds at Bethpage for the final day of practice, but those ticketholders were allowed to attend Wednesday’s round, which had much better weather, if they chose to.
